lawyer-moves-delhi-high-court-demands-pm-modi-s-disqualification-over-religious-remarks

A recent plea lodged in the Delhi High Court has ignited controversy, alleging Prime Minister Narendra Modi of seeking electoral support by invoking religious sentiments.

 

Anand S Jondhale, a practising lawyer, spearheaded the petition, urging the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take stringent action against PM Modi for purportedly seeking votes in the name of Hindu and Sikh deities, as well as religious sites.

 

The crux of the plea revolves around a speech delivered by PM Modi on April 09 in Uttar Pradesh, where he allegedly made references to Hindu and Sikh deities and places of worship while concurrently making derogatory remarks against opposing political factions, insinuating favouritism toward Muslims.

 

Jondhale argues that such rhetoric not only breaches electoral norms but also has the potential to inflame communal tensions, especially in the charged atmosphere of election season.

 

The urgency of the petition stems from the imminent Lok Sabha polls, prompting Jondhale to implore the ECI to disqualify PM Modi from elections for a span of six years under the Representation of Peoples Act.

 

Additionally, he seeks to restrain the Prime Minister from leveraging religious affiliations for electoral gain, underscoring the necessity for swift action to uphold the sanctity of fair elections.

 

Of particular concern to the petitioner is the alleged recurrence of such inflammatory speeches by PM Modi during his official travels across India, often utilising government aircraft and helicopters.

 

Jondhale asserts that these speeches not only violate the Model Code of Conduct but also have the potential to sow seeds of discord among voters along caste and religious lines.

 

In an attempt to address these concerns, Jondhale previously filed a complaint with the ECI, urging the registration of an FIR against PM Narendra Modi under Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code and his disqualification from elections for six years under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

 

However, he alleges that the ECI has thus far failed to take any action on the matter, prompting the escalation of the issue to the Delhi High Court.